Damon's Journey - Sector Clinical Lead

Damon Wheddon is sector clinical lead for Norfolk and Waveney and a regional maternity lead. He has been with the Trust for 27 years.

I joined the ambulance service in 1996 as an emergency medical technician (EMT) because I wanted to make a difference. I had a number of jobs prior to joining the service and felt unsettled, but I knew that I wanted to make a valued contribution helping and caring for people.

After four years, I undertook my paramedic training and registered as a paramedic in 2000. This led me to undertake various development opportunities and eventually I interviewed for the new role of clinical supervisor, before progressing to team leader. During this time was selected onto the air ambulance based in Norwich as a paramedic, which meant working as part of a helicopter emergency medical service (HEMs) team. This role meant we were tasked to seriously ill and injured patients and were involved in assisting with navigation, managing scenes, assessing, and treating patients, as well as facilitating transportation either by air or road to definitive care.

I had several secondments within the training and education team which allowed me to teach on the EMT and paramedic courses for new and existing staff. Following this secondment, I progressed to clinical operations manager for east Suffolk, working alongside operational colleagues in the day-to-day running of the sector. I supported crews with training and education, led on clinical aspects within the sector, supported clinical complaints and concerns, and undertook developmental action plans.

I then became an area clinical lead for the Trust in 2015, working across various areas, until undertaking the role within Suffolk & north east Essex, before starting in my current role as sector clinical lead for Norfolk and Waveney in 2021.

I am also the regional maternity lead for the Trust, which focuses on improving patient safety, innovation, collaboration with maternity services, training and education, and supporting wellbeing of our staff following difficult maternity incidents. I am part of the UK Ambulance Maternity Leads Group, which allows for collaborative working with other ambulance services, reviewing and writing national guidelines to improve maternity care.

My role is the best job in the world - very diverse, allowing me to work on multiple projects and try to improve patient care and support our staff.

The people I work with do the most amazing job in some difficult situations. I am always astounded by the level of compassion our staff give, they are very special people and it's great to be part of that.

The biggest challenge I faced was when I first joined was being able to be an effective communicator with patients and colleagues. I think every day in the ambulance service is an opportunity to learn and develop. There are a number of challenges throughout your career and every job presents itself with different challenges, which is one of the things I really love.

If you're considering a career with EEAST, I would say go for it and don't hesitate. Wholeheartedly embrace the challenges and rewards of the role. Every day is different, your office is anywhere you get called to and you meet so many interesting people.